Merry Christmas! Oh the sights and sounds of Christmas! I don’t care how “Scroogish” you are, the right combination of holiday music, the warm scent of pine, oranges and cinnamon and the twinkling lights of the tree are enough to make you celebrate. The holidays are a time for families to gather. Relish the wonder in a child’s eyes when they get a glimpse of Santa or open that toy they’ve dreamed of.
Our wish for you is one of joy and contentment. Jump into the season with both feet, decorate the house and yard, hum those songs you grew up singing, make this Christmas special for someone else, adopt a family, prepare a meal for someone in need and make this a special holiday! Bring the four or two legged children by the Georgia Mountain Laurel office on December 17th from 11 PM – 1 PM to see Santa Claus and get their picture made with him.
Share the story of Jesus with those you love, a friend or a stranger on the street. He is the one we celebrate.
Merry Christmas! Tracy
December 2016 • Volume Thirteen • Issue Twelve • Copyright 2016 Publisher/Editor - Tracy McCoy Assitant Editor - Nikki Dunbar Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst Office Manager/ Account Executive - Cindi Freeman Account Executive - Melissa Williams-Thomas Account Executive - Louis Dunbar Copy Editor/Writer - Jan Timms Photographer/Writer - Peter McIntosh Writer - Luke McCoy
Georgia Mountain Laurel Mailing: PO Box 2218, Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 2511 Highway 441, Mountain City, Georgia 30562 706-782-1600 • www.gmlaurel.com Contributing Writers: Jean Hyatt, Mark Holloway, Jo Mitchell, Jessica Phillips, Steve Jarrard, MD, Lisa Harris, John Shivers, Emory Jones, Dr. Beverly Gerard, Lorie Thompson
Copyright 2016 by Rabun’s Laurel Inc. All rights reserved. The Georgia Mountain Laurel Magazine is published twelve times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to GML magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel magazine or any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. The Georgia Mountain Laurel maintains a Christian focus throughout their magazine. Rabun’s Laurel, Inc. reserves the right to refuse content or advertising for any reason without explanation.
2
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
In This Issue Arts & Entertainment 8
Cover Artist - Holly Klaine
10
North Georgia Arts Guild
Yesterdays 14
Foxfire
34
Wheels - Vernon Burnette’s Car
Affairs to Remember 18
Mountain Happenings Event Calendar
A Taste 24
Bon Appetit
28
The Family Table
30
Christmas Tradition
Faith in Christ 38
River Garden
42
Life is an Exhilarating Whirlwind
Health & Wellness 48
Live Healthy & Be Well
52
Rodan + Fields - Ann Bone Inman
Outdoors 54
Adventure Out
58
Mountain Nature
Life & Leisure
6
60
Lovin’ the Journey
62
Good Work - The Ferst Foundation
63
Bristles - Salon on Savannah
64
By the Way
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
7
Cover Artist - Holly Klaine
“I think I’ve decided I’m a woodland creature; I’m most at home in the woods.” - Holly Klaine Holly Klaine is a creator in every sense of the word. She uses “traditional” mediums for her art, like paint and pastels, but she also uses everyday materials that she has collected to make unique pieces. Versatility and imagination are two key components in Holly’s art. She has been painting since she was a child, and she is inspired by Van Gogh, Monet and Gauguin. She has traveled the world in her quest to experience art and its history.
Holly was born in West Palm Beach, Florida. She used to visit the mountains as a child, where she would attend day camps, and during that time she fell in love with the area. Holly went to Loyola University in New Orleans and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication and graphic design. With her degree she then moved to Washington, D.C to use her degree in commercial design. Holly believed that commercial art would be a better way to make a living. After working in DC in large advertising firms for six years she then returned to Florida to care for her father when he became ill. She worked as an art director there. Graphic design comes with pressures and deadlines which was something that she struggled with. After losing her father, Holly realized that her passion could be found behind the easel and began painting en plein air. She then moved to Winter Park. Holly purchased a vacation home perched on the side of a mountain in Lakemont where she visited with her best four legged friend a Cockapoo named Coco. Holly began to feel more inspired and “at home” in the mountains. In 2011 she moved permanently to Lakemont. The move proved to be very positive for her; she found living in the mountains great therapy. Holly is a bit of an adventure seeker and found plenty of it here. “When I moved here fulltime, every country road was something to explore. And it still is.” She had grown very fond of pastels which offered her the ability to create quickly and easily, as well as the ease with which she could transport them for her outside work. With her new found inspirational location and her connection to the medium of pastels, her art blossomed. Holly felt drawn to the forest around her home and she came up with an idea for an art studio on her property. She began collecting windows of all shapes and sizes. When she had enough she had a studio made to sit beside her home where she literally is “in the trees” with the birds. She can enjoy her incredible view and paint till her heart’s content. This special place is so... Holly! Since becoming a resident of Lakemont, this artist has proven to be an extraordinary creator. Sure she makes pottery, is a pastel artist and paints with acrylics and oils, but the creativity does not stop there. She came to be in possession of a sheet of vintage roof tin, rusted and weathered. As it sat outside for several months, she brainstormed ideas for a project. She finally found the perfect idea: she cut, shaped and varnished the tin into trees. Holly lives near a rooster farm, where she asked the farmer for permission to photograph 8
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
his roosters. When he said yes, she did just that, and has created beautiful pastel pieces of very unique roosters. She also created pottery “Spirit Houses”, which sold out at the recent Foxfire Mountaineer Festival, and she makes jewelry out of her own homemade beads. Holly said she likes to make things where she can, instead of buying them. She makes her own lotions and bath salt scrubs. She also makes delicious rubs for meat with chives and garlic. Holly has created some outstanding dip mixes that go perfectly with the vegetables that she grows in The Community Garden part of the Sustainable Mountain Living Community situated behind the Clayton City Hall. (She tried having her garden on her property, but the deer kept eating her crops!) Perhaps the most intriguing story Holly told was not about art, but about her determination and willpower. This past winter there was a snow storm. She lost power for 32 hours, and had no way to charge her cell phone. She said that she had plenty of food, and a way to stay warm, in fact she had everything she needed, except the ability to stay connected. Holly had to get off the mountain! She gathered as many warm clothes as she could. As she was going to get in her Jeep, she dropped her phone in an ice puddle. Now her determination was even stronger. A neighbor, along with a Georgia Power employee, came up the mountain on an ATV to bring her 5 gallons of gas and then she set out down the mountain. With her Jeep slipping and sliding down the mountain, she went to get her phone fixed. When she came back, there was no way she was getting back up the mountain. She had to get back home, so Holly decided to walk. Over 4 days, she walked 32 miles up and down the mountain. It was bitter cold, but she was determined, which seems to be at the core of who this talented lady is. This year she says she is more prepared for the winter weather! One of Holly’s favorite things is accepting commissions. She has painted pets, homes and landscapes, all of which make excellent Christmas gifts. Of course if this is something you’d be interested in contacting her sooner rather than later is recommended. Holly’s work can be enjoyed at White Birch Provisions in Clayton, Georgia and at Mount Yonah Vineyards in Cleveland, Georgia. Holly’s art will be on display at the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce during the month of December and we invite you to stop in and enjoy her work. We are actually really excited to see what Holly creates next; we know it will be bold, fun and quite possibly functional. To contact the artist for commissions or to talk with her about a specific piece please e-mail artisgreat34@yahoo.com. gmlaurel.com
December 2016
9
North Georgia Arts Guild Cleve Phillips/King Kudzu By Jo Mitchell
Anyone who has ever lived in the South or driven its summer roads is familiar with it; undulating, towering green walls consuming buildings, fields and trees like some alien life form. A nuisance to be eradicated or kept at bay, kudzu has a flip side - threedimensional art. For Cleve Phillips, aka King Kudzu, the aggressive vine is an abundant natural resource, raw material he transforms into: trees, baskets, animals, furniture, outlandish futuristic figures (that may have originally started life as Druids) and believe it or not, soap, jelly, candles and candy. So you can decorate it, sit on it or in it, put things in it or on it, and eat it. Wow. Cleve’s finished work may be traditional or as unconventional and refreshing as his personal outlook on life. If he can “think it or dream it” Cleve feels he is able to create it from kudzu or alternate natural materials. The ideas for his pieces have come from loyal customers with specific requests or from brainstorming during “storms in my life”. 10
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
When people come face to face with his art, Cleve hopes they might come away with a “greater understanding of kudzu’s ability to be a healthy part of American society.” He feels any response he receives is positive, but no response, well, not a good thing. The ultimate reward is a “happy, satisfied customer”. Cleve envisions most of his pieces prior to completion, while some surprise him. While creating, Cleve feels satisfaction, while, “Songs play in my mind, my mind tickles my soul, and my soul tickles my body.” Saving the environment and “cutting down on poisons, educating people about natural material and overcoming myself “are vital issues. His long – range goals are to continue as an artist and to awaken in people the potential of natural materials including bamboo, kudzu and wisteria. Born on the Louisiana Bayou, Cleve considers himself a natural harvester. But how does Cleve get from point A - pesky vine with leaf overload to point B - art. Kudzu won’t go to him, so the King must go to it, along the highways and byways of Georgia and North Carolina with permission from authorities. Using a variety of clippers and saws, Cleve cuts the vine away from trees close to the ground where leaves are sparse or nonexistent. Taking only what he can use, he winds the pliable vine into rolls. Winter is the best time for harvesting, although it can be done year-round if he’s willing to put up with snakes, insects and other pesky creatures. In addition to twenty-foot Christmas trees and fifteen-foot bird nests, King Kudzu makes soap using dehydrated leaves, candles and jelly with kudzu blossoms and candy combining dehydrated kudzu with white chocolate. Cleve’s work lives in private collections worldwide and has been in galleries in Louisiana, California, Florida, Alabama, North and South Carolina and Georgia. The Kudzu Factory’s main location is Gourds, 2873 Hwy 441 N in Mountain City. You can contact Cleve at 706.490.2780; The Kudzu Factory on Facebook or kudzufactory706@gmail.com.
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
11
FINDING ART
12
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
13
Foxfire Turkey Dressing This recipe for our traditional Christmas dinner dressing has been passed down from my great-grandmother to my grandmother to my mom, who is telling me how to make the dressing. To make the dressing you will need the following ingredients: 12 biscuits 2 onions Pepper Sage A pan of cornbread A celery stalk Turkey broth Giblets First, you take the biscuits and cornbread and crumble them up into a large bowl. Then you slice up two onions into the bowl. Next, you slice and add the celery. After that you add five dashes of pepper and a pinch of sage. Then you put in two cups of turkey broth and stir till it gets sort of smooth. Then you crush the giblets, and put them into the bowl. Stir until smooth and add three dashes of pepper and two pinches of sage. Finally, (spoon into a large baking pan and) bake it in the oven at 350˚ for about 25 minutes. This dish would be a tasty complement to almost any meal, especially turkey. Adapted from A Foxfire Christmas, pg. 111
Making A Christmas Wreath Well, you start with wire (or a coat hanger). I don’t remember when we didn’t have coat hangers, and I can’t see they’ve improved them, either! I am going to use this linen string, just a twine, but it’s good and strong. This is just greenery out of the yard, Norway spruce and cedar cypress. Now, if you are going out in the woods to get it, you might look for white pine. The twigs and tips are
14
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
what you want to use. When we were little, we would have used white pine or native cedar that you find in the woods or white hemlock. Sometimes I use sprigs of holly with berries on it or pyracantha, but they don’t have berries on them. And I always put a red bow at the top! First of all, bend the coat hanger with your hands into a circle. Leave the hook at the top to hang the wreath up by and to tie the red ribbon on. (Mrs. Bulgin lays the branches of greenery around the coat hanger and begins to tie them to the wire with the string.) Now first time around is really your starter. Then go back and stick in twigs and the holly. You may want to cut little pieces of string and tie on these smaller twigs. If you plan to tack the wreath on a glass door, you would need to fill in the back side of the wreath also. Now tie on a pretty red bow and presto! chango! You’ve got a Christmas wreath. They’re not hard to make and it’s just part of getting ready for Christmas with us. It’s just one of the things we do. Interviews and photographs by Kelly Shropshire, Allison Adams, Joseph Fowler, and Mark Edwards Adapted from The Foxfire Magazine, Fall 1985 pg. 174
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
15
SHOP Downtown CLAYTON
16
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
17
Mountain Happenings - December 2016 & January 2017 December 10th A Downtown Clarkesville Christmas Downtown Clarkesville Info: www.clarkesvillega.com
December 10th Annual Christmas Parade Downtown Helen Info: 706.878.2181
December 3rd Christmas Parade Downtown Toccoa Info: www.mainstreettoccoa.com
December 15th – 19th Christmas in Cornelia Cornelia City Park Cornelia Info: 706.778.8585
December 26th – December 30th Winter Break and Tree Toss North Georgia Zoo & Farm Cleveland Info: 706.348.7279
December 10th and the second Saturday of the month Second Saturday Historic Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132
December 31st Cornelia Tacky Apple Drop Community House Cornelia Info: 706.778.8585
December 31st Dropping of the Edelweiss Helen Festhalle Helen Info: 706.878.1908
Habersham Community Theater Clarkesville Info: 706.839.1315
Yonah Mountain Vineyards Cleveland Info: 706.878.5522
December 1st – 4th; 8th – 11th “The Nutcracker” play & ballet
December 11th and the second Sunday of the month Reserve Wine Tasting
STEPHENS COUNTY December 2nd ChristmasFest and Lighting of the Tree Downtown Toccoa Info: www.mainstreettoccoa.com
December 19th and the third Monday of each month Career Coach Stephens County Library parking lot Toccoa Info: www.gmrc.ga.gov/ WorkforceDevelopment December 11th Martin, GA Tour of Homes and Centennial Celebration Martin Info: 770.861.1955
December 15th – 18th HCT Family Christmas V featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas” December 31st New Year’s Eve Gala
The Ritz Theater The Schaefer Center, Toccoa Info: www.ritztheatertoccoa.com December 1st Christmas Movie - Elf
December 3rd Jonathan Ingram Band
December 8th Christmas Movie Miracle on 34th Street
December 31st New Year’s Eve - Steve Bryson Band
December 10th and the second Saturday of the month Southern Gospel Music December 15th Christmas Movie - Grinch
November 24 – January 1 Christmas Lights Spectacular Cornelia City Park Cornelia Info: 706.778.4654 st
December 3rd (Rain Date December 10th) Habersham County Christmas Lights Parade and Christmas Village Festival Baldwin Info: 706.778.6341 December 3rd Christmas at the Fort Fort Hollingsworth - White House Alto Info: 706.244.1239
18
WHITE COUNTY December 2nd – 4th and each Friday – Sunday Discovery Tours Sautee Nacoochee Center Sautee Info: 706.878.3300
HABERSHAM COUNTY th
Grant Street Music Room Clarkesville Info: 706.754.3541
January 23rd 3rd Annual Northeast Georgia’s Top Chef and Wine Tasting Info: 706.778.3100 Unicoi State Park & Lodge Helen Info: 706.878.2201 November 9th – December 10th Festival of Trees December 10th Damon Hendrix Christmas Gospel Concert Smithgall Woods Cleveland Info: 706.878.3087 www.smithgallwoods.com December 3rd First Visit Tours December 3rd Advanced GPS
December 3rd Christmas in the Mountains 2016 Festival & Lighted Christmas Parade Downtown Cleveland Info: 706.865.5356
January 1st Annual Hike to Duke’s Creek
December 3rd – 4th; 10th – 11th 9th Annual Christkindlmarkt Downtown Marketplatz Helen Info: 706.878.1908
December 3rd Annual Christmas Parade Downtown Clayton Info: 706.782.4812
December 9th – 11th; 16th – 18th Alpine Mistletoe Market Helen Arts & Heritage Center Helen Info: 706.878.3933
December 2016
RABUN COUNTY
December 3rd – 4th; 9th – 11th “The Little Town of Christmas” North Georgia Community Players Dillard Playhouse Dillard Info: 706.212.2500
gmlaurel.com
December 31st New Year’s Eve Bash River Vista RV Park Dillard Info: 706.746.2722 Hambidge Center Rabun Gap Info: 706.746.5718 December 3rd and the First Saturday of the month Grist Mill Visits December 17th and the third Saturday of the month Nature Hike Rabun Arena Tiger Info: 706.212.0452 December 3rd Wayne Dutton Jr. Rodeo December 4 Wayne Dutton Barrel Race & Roping th
January 7th Junior Rodeo and Roping January 8th Wayne Dutton Barrel Racing Tallulah Gorge State Park Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.7981 December 3rd Christmas at the Gorge December 11th; 12th Sunrise Hike December 13 Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike th
December 17th Hidden Gem Hiking Series TOWNS COUNTY Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4191 www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com November 24th – January 1st Mountain Country Christmas Festival of Lights December 16th Lee Greenwood and Lorrie Morgan in “Patriotic Country Christmas” Concert January 13th 38 Special in Concert
Crane Creek Vineyards Young Harris Info: 706.379.1235
Union County Schools Fine Arts Center Blairsville Info: 877.745.5789
December 2 and each Friday Friday Evening Tapas & Acoustic
December 1st – 2nd UCMS Theater
December 17th Holiday Contra & Square Dance Holiday Kids’ Party 2016
December 3rd and each Saturday Winery Tour
December 6th UCMS Band Christmas Concert
MACON COUNTY, NC
December 21st Winter Solstice Festival
December 8 – 9 UCHS Chorus, Band, Theatre: Christmas Show
nd
th
December 31st New Year’s Eve Party
December 13th; 15th UCMS Chorus & Theatre: Christmas Show
UNION COUNTY December 1 – 31 Tour of Trees Union County Community Center Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789 st
st
December 2nd – 3rd Blairsville Holiday Stop & Shop Union County Civic Center Blairsville Info: 770.789.2044 December 3rd Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting On the Square Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493 December 7th and each Wednesday BINGO Haralson Memorial Civic Center Blairsville Info: 678.630.0452 December 9 – 10 Jingle Bell Wine Trail Paradise Hills Winery, Resort & Spa Blairsville Info: 877.745.7483 th
th
December 10th 2016 Holly Jolly Christmas and Tour of Trees Union County Community Center Blairsville Info: 706-745-5789 December 10th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Vogel State Park Blairsville Info: 706.745.2628 December 20th Old Fashioned Christmas Caroling On the Square Blairsville Info: 706.347.3503
Towns County - December 22nd We will be delivering Christmas Dinner to the Homebound Elderly. Sponsored by Hiawassee Park. Call 762.500.2021 for information gmlaurel.com
th
Union County Farmers’ Market Old Smokey Road, Blairsville Info: 706.439.6043 December 6th Canning Plant December 2nd – 3rd Kris Kringle Mountain Market CLAY COUNTY, NC December 2nd and each Friday Friday Nights at Clay’s Corner Clay’s Corner Brasstown Info: 828.837.3797 December 8th – 11th “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by the Licklog Players Creekside Circle Hayesville Info: 828.389.8632 December 10th Clay County Progress Christmas Parade Hayesville Info: 828.389.8431
December 10th English Country Dance Workshop Series
December 1st Rotary Club of Highlands Bingo Night Highlands Community Building Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 December 3rd Winter Wonderland Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.2516 December 3rd Highlands Olde Mountain Christmas Parade Main Street Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 December 10th – 11th Highlands Community Christian Chorale First Presbyterian Church Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 December 15th Highlands Cashiers Players Holiday Reading Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center Highlands Info: 828.526.9047 Cowee School Franklin Info: www.coweeschool.org
Peacock Performing Arts Center Hayesville Info: 828.389.2787
December 17th and the third Saturday of the month SEBA Jam
December 2nd “It’s a Wonderful Life”
December 3rd Cowee Christmas
January 21st The Sock Hops in Concert John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown Info: 828.837.2775; 800.FOLKSCH www.folkschool.org December 4th 2016 “Fireside Sale” December 5th Holiday Music Performance by David Brose & Kathleen Secrest December 7th A Christmas Carol 2016 Holiday Dance Performance by Morris & Garland Dancers December 9th Brasstown Bellringers Annual Holiday Performance
December 2016
Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts Franklin Info: 866.273.4615; 828.524.1598 www.GreatMountainMusic.com December 2nd Michael O’Brien December 3rd Christmas with the Celts December 9th Christmas in my Hometown December 10th MercyMe! It’s Christmas December 16th – 17th The Nutcracker Ballet January 21st The Lettermen
19
20
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
21
UPTown Franklin, North Carolina
One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly. - Andy Rooney 22
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
23
Bon Appétit T
The Meal of the Month!
By Scarlett Cook
he tree must be trimmed. The presents must be bought and wrapped. The cards must be addressed and mailed. And the meal to celebrate it all must be prepared for everyone to enjoy. Let’s try some new recipes that won’t put too big a dent in your already overloaded budget – you did make one for this month, didn’t you? Just remember that at all the award shows, everyone says it is just an honor to be nominated, that it is okay to pare down your list and uncomplicate your life. I’m sure that your friends and family would love to have some of your time at a later date, so include some IOUs for folks to redeem later next year. Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year to all of our readers. Cornish Hens with Tarragon Serves 4 4 Cornish hens, split in half 1/4 Cup olive oil 1 1/2 Teaspoons dried tarragon 1/4 Cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 Cup soy sauce 2 Cloves garlic, crushed 1 1/2 Teaspoons salt 1/2 Teaspoon black pepper 1 1/2 Teaspoons dried tarragon
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes with Basil Serves 8
Preheat oven to 350˚. Place hens breast side down in a large baking dish. Combine oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour over hens and sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons tarragon. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Remove hens from marinade and place on a baking rack on a baking sheet covered with foil. Sprinkle remaining tarragon over hens. Cook one hour or until tender.
3 1/2 Pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1” cubes 1 onion, chopped 3 Stalks celery, cut in half 12 Cloves garlic, peeled 1/2 Teaspoon salt 3/4 Cup cottage cheese 1/2 Cup buttermilk 2 – 4 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil (or 2 – 3 teaspoons dried basil) 1 Teaspoon salt 1/4 Teaspoon black pepper Combine potatoes, onion, celery, garlic and salt in a Dutch oven. Add water to cover potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain and remove celery. Mash potatoes. In a food processor combine cottage cheese and buttermilk. Process using knife blade attachment, until mixture is smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Add cottage cheese mixture to potatoes and stir until mixed. Stir in basil, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat until heated throughout. Serve at once.
24
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions Serves 8 2 Pounds fresh Brussels sprouts 1 Package frozen pearl onions, thawed 1/4 Cup margarine 1/4 Cup firmly packed brown sugar Arrange sprouts in a steamer basket over boiling water and cover. Steam for 15 minutes. Melt margarine in large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add sugar and cook stirring constantly until bubbly. Add onions and cook 5 minutes stirring constantly. Add sprouts and stir until vegetables are heated throughout.
Cranberry Salad Serves 6 – 8 2 Cups fresh cranberries (or frozen cranberries thawed) 1 Cup sugar 1 3-Ounce package lemon Jello 1 Cup boiling water 1 Cup chopped celery 1 Cup chopped walnuts Using knife blade in food processor, process cranberries just until chopped, about 30 seconds. Combine cranberries and sugar in a large bowl and let stand 1 hour or until sugar dissolves. Combine boiling water and Jello in large bowl. Stir 2 minutes or until Jello is dissolved. Chill until the consistency of unbeaten egg white. Stir cranberry mixture, celery and walnuts into gelatin mixture. Pour into 4 cup oiled mold or serving dish. Cover and chill until firm. If using mold, unmold salad onto lettuce lined plate or serve from dish.
gmlaurel.com
White Chocolate Chess Pie Serves 6 1 Frozen pie shell 1 4-Ounce white chocolate bar, chopped 1/2 Cup buttermilk 3 Large eggs, slightly beaten 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract 1 1/4 Cups sugar Pinch of salt 3 Tablespoons plain flour 1 Tablespoon cornmeal Preheat oven to 450˚. Remove frozen crust from aluminum pan and place in a 9� glass pie pan. Line pastry with aluminum foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake 8 minutes. Remove weights and foil and return pie crust to the oven for 4 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Combine chocolate and buttermilk in a small saucepan and cook over low high stirring constantly until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Cool 15 minutes. Combine eggs and vanilla in a bowl and gradually add chocolate mixture. Stir to blend. Combine sugar, salt, flour and cornmeal and gradually add to chocolate mixture stirring until well blended. Pour into crust. Bake 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. In the November Bon Appetit recipes, the amount of pumpkin for the pumpkin waffles was omitted. The amount is 1 cup cooked mashed pumpkin.
December 2016
25
MOUNTAIN
DINING
26
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
27
The
Family Table
by Lorie Thompson
T
he calendar says that Christmas time is coming although, I am having a hard time believing it! The unusual warm and dry weather has allowed fall to linger. Regardless of the warm temperatures, December is here and the best holiday of the year is upon us!
I like to buy it several days in advance and “dry age” it in my refrigerator. This is simply taking it out of its package and placing it in the fridge on a rack. I cover it with a white cotton dish cloth or paper towels. 3 – 4 days is great; 1 – 2 is fine and if you don’t want to fool with it, that is okay, too.
Christmas brings with it so many memories. Christmas Eve at my Mama and Daddy’s was always wonderful and the highlight of my year. Their home was decorated and welcoming. The guest were all of their children, grands, great grands, in-laws, in-laws’ parents and anyone else that wanted to come. The celebration included singing Christmas carols, (all of the Ramey’s can sing, except for me.) a grandchild reading aloud the Bible passages of Christ’s birth, taking turns sharing our praises for the year, gifts and a glorious meal! My gift to my family was a prime rib roast for our dinner. My sister Debra always brought 5 pounds of beautiful shrimp to have along with double stuffed potatoes, asparagus and more. Christmas Eve dinner was a real feast!
On cooking day, remove the roast from the refrigerator 2 – 3 hours before cooking time and allow it to come to room temperature. Pre-heat your oven to 450˚. When you remove it from the refrigerator, sprinkle the roast with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and crushed rosemary. Rub it in. Give the roast a good massage with the herbs and spices that you like. Use the seasonings that you enjoy!
My Mama and Daddy have gone on to Heaven, but their legacy is still alive. Our family still spends Christmas Eve together. We eat, sing, read the Bible story of Christ’s birth and we talk about our Mama, Daddy and our family who have gone on ahead of us. We hold all the new babies born into the family and welcome the new generations. My hope is that while our family traditions have changed some, out of necessity, that the basic sharing of faith and family will be passed on to the next generations. Our Christmas Eve traditions are a big part of that. I will share my Christmas Prime Rib recipe with you and I hope you can enjoy this with your own family. This recipe is for a 5 pound boneless prime rib roast. You should plan 3/4 of a pound per person. I like a small loin if I can find it. Your butcher will cut it for you and tie it to help hold its shape.
28
Use a throw-away aluminum pan to cook it in or line a roasting pan with aluminum foil. Place 1 cup of rock salt (ice cream salt) in the bottom of the roasting pan. Place roast on top of salt and cover as much as possible of the roast with the rest of the rock salt. I only had one box of salt in the photographs, but if your roast is 5 pounds or larger, buy 2 boxes of rock salt. Place a meat thermometer in the center of the roast. Place the roast in the hot oven and cook for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 350˚ and allow 12 to 15 minutes per pound roasting time. Cook to 110˚ for very rare; 120˚ for medium rare and 130˚ for medium to well done. The temperature will continue to rise 5 – 10˚ after you remove the meat from the oven. I cook mine to 115˚ and tent it with foil for 30 minutes. That will result in the end cuts being medium to well done and the middle being a perfect medium rare. Do not remove the meat thermometer until roast has rested for 30 minutes. Before serving, remove any strings and scrape off all the rock salt. Slice and serve.
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
My cousins Tim and Leisa Wall treated me to prime rib earlier this year. It was marvelous! Ashly their daughter had made a creamy horseradish sauce that was the best I have ever had. Here is her recipe: 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic and 2 teaspoons black pepper. Mix all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. Another Christmas tradition is Snow Day Hot Chocolate. My children knew that I would make hot chocolate on Christmas Morning, New Year’s Day and any day that it snowed! My Mom made it for me and I made it for them. In a medium saucepan, mix 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup of cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup of water. Mix until a thick paste is made. Add an additional 1 3/4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and slowly boil for 2 minutes. Add 2 – 12 ounce cans of evaporated milk and bring back to almost boiling, while stirring. Remove from heat and serve with whipped cream. This recipe may be doubled or tripled for a crowd. Your children will remind you of this tradition! My wish for you this Christmas is that you will know the sweetness of having Christ love in your heart. I wish for you an abundance of family, friends, great food and time together at your own family table! Merry Christmas! “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” gmlaurel.com
December 2016
29
Christmas
Tradition
W
by Nikki Dunbar
hen I was a kid, we had a fun Christmas tradition. Every year, my Mama made sugar cookies and homemade icing, and we decorated the cookies for our family gatherings. We used different colors and made different designs. Looking back, they probably weren’t very pretty, but boy did we have fun making them! I loved licking the icing off my fingers, which would be stained with red and green for a day or two afterwards. I loved how everyone complimented our cookies, even though mostly they were just cookies with red and green blobs! But what I loved most was the feeling that it brought when it was time to make them: excitement, closeness with family, warmth. Those feelings are what made this tradition special to me. Those feelings are something that I want to share with you and that I hope you experience this holiday season with your family, through your own Christmas traditions or by starting new ones! Here are recipes for sugar cookies and homemade icing for you to try with your family. 30
Sugar Cookies 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups white sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat oven to 375˚. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. You can also use cookie cutters for fun holiday shapes. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks. Add colorful icing for decoration, or place a Hershey’s Kiss in the center directly after taking them out of the oven.
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
Icing 1 cup powdered sugar 2 teaspoons milk 2 teaspoons light corn syrup 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1⁄4 teaspoon almond extract food coloring Stir the powdered sugar and the milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and vanilla until icing is smooth and glossy. If it’s too thick, add more corn syrup. Divide icing into separate bowls and stir in food coloring as desired. You can dip the cookies, paint them with a paintbrush or spread them using a knife or the back of a spoon. You can add candies or sprinkles for decoration.
Experience
Clarkesville
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
31
Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see. - The Polar Express
32
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
33
‘34 FLathead Ford 34
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
Wheels
Vernon Burnette’s ‘34 Ford Pickup by Luke McCoy
“They don’t make em like they used to.” This phrase has never in the past rung as true as it does now. In a world where things seem to sometimes break before you’ve even bought them, it’s amazing to look around and see things made decades ago still functioning as intended. Take for example Vernon Burnette’s 1934 Ford pickup. It still bares the original Flathead Ford engine, original 3 speed manual, mechanical brakes as well as the stock wheels, tires, hubcaps, and even the factory 6-volt electrical system. The truck originated at Derrick Motor Co. in Clayton bought new by its original owner. It was then bought by Russell Turpin who in turn sold it to Vernon in 1961 for $130.00. Vernon had the engine rebuilt at Jones Auto parts by Coil Dixon for $90.00, He then put a total of $680.00 into a full restore of the truck however after encountering heat setbacks with the radiator he stopped working on it and put it into storage where it remained for 50 years. Recently Vernon decided he wanted to drive the ‘34 Ford again, so he called on John Dixon, son of the aforementioned Coil Dixon who rebuilt the engine. John and his son, also named John, are well known for quality restorations. Upon further examination John discovered that after being stored for so long, the engine had locked up, this was quickly remedied however through application of Marvel Mystery Oil. Soon the engine was running well and soon after the radiator was then flushed and the original heating issue fixed. Vernon is now able to enjoy taking to the road in this example of simple, yet incredible long lasting engineering. You are likely to see Vernon in his ‘34 Ford cruising around Rabun Gap.
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
35
Bless Your Heart Jingleberries with Joy
Hmmm...I thought to myself as I tried to decide on a dressy black warm-in suit or jeans and a jacket; I really should spruce up my wardrobe. The jeans won, as I slid on my size 12’s wondering the whole time where my bellybutton was. Oh, there it was...sucked into a crease in my stomach. No low-rise for me, just the standard high-waist ones. I put on a red top and topped it off with a blue-jean jacket and silver accessories. There, I was complete. Not too shabby, but no matter what I did to look younger, you just can’t hide Mother Nature; at least not in your 50’s.
My eyes misted at her statement, “of course we’re family, we’re sisters in Christ, and that’s more binding than blood.” I grabbed her shoulders and gave her a hug, as I said, “Come by for supper tonight and we’ll discuss this further, but for now, I’ve got to scoot and open up “Jingleberries” before the customers fuss.”
Checking the temperature on the outside thermometer it registered 55 degrees; definitely a southern Christmas season. I grabbed my scarf and gloves and headed out. Sliding into my SUV, and loving my seat warmer, my thoughts wondered to Joy, a sweet precious young woman I “adopted” as my younger sister. In her late-twenties, Joy was of slight build with short, wispy caramel colored hair, big brown eyes and fair skin.
“That’s right, he did say he was coning by; just get enough food, hon.”
Joy had been an orphan since she was six. Her parents had died in a dreadful car accident and being an only child of parents who both were only children, she had no place to go but to foster care. Bouncing from family to family, she finally got a scholarship and completed college. Her degree in interior design was wonderful but frustrating at the same time. Joy longed for a husband and family to love and a business that would thrive. But, so far...no man, no job and definitely no money...she needed a Christmas blessing.
After locking up ‘Jingleberries’ for the night, I hurried home and having just enough time to change clothes and set the table before I heard Samuel knocking as he walked in...
Smiling to myself...my brain was full beam ahead. Miracles were God’s domain, but I could help it along a but; besides, I do love Christmas! Pulling in to the small coffee shop called, “Java Joe’s” not the fancy Starbuck’s in Atlanta, but...loaded in small town warmth and character, I spotted Joy, sipping on her black coffee, scribbling notes on her pad. “Hi sweet girl,” I said gaily. Joy looked up smiling, “Hey yourself.” “Listen, Joy,” I rambled on as I placed my order, “I’ve talked to Paul and he is in total agreement with me about renting you half our store space. You can have the entire left side and I’ll move my primitives to the right.” Joy’s eyes bulged in surprise. “You’d do that for me? Why? I’m not even family,” she stuttered. 36
Walking out I flipped open my cell phone, “Honey, could you pick-up dinner tonight, Joy’s coming and I won’t have time to cook?” “Sure, Sweetheart. Anything else?” Paul asked. “Don’t think so, just make it fattening,” I said, laughing. “What about Samuel? Isn’t he due in tonight?”
I smiled just thinking about Samuel. My little preacher son all grown up. He’d just turned thirty, and was every mother’s dream. Kind, witty and handsome, but that’s just a proud mother’s observation. He did have weaknesses, but why waste time on them...being positive is what I like to be.
“Mom, I’m here,” Samuel called to me. “All right, Sweetheart, I’ll be out in a minute.” A few moments later I heard voices below. Joy had arrived and was talking with Samuel. As I came around the back stairs I just happened to catch the look in Sam’s eyes...they were lit up like our Christmas tree twinkling in the corner. Well, I’ll be... he is totally smitten and I never thought of putting the together. I guess that’s why I’m me and God is God, I thought smiling. During the whole evening, they kept stealing looks and smiling at each other. We did manage, however, to seal the deal with the store and it would become...”Jingleberries With Joy.” God is all about miracles...for in one night He gave Joy the man she would marry, a career jump and a family that already loved her. With my heart already full and overflowing in the awesomeness of God, I thought...”God, while you’re on a roll, could you possibly get me in a size eight before Christmas?” Hmmm...didn’t think so.
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
Thank You We wanted to extend a special thanks to the folks at Liberty Baptist Church and others who opened their doors and all of the volunteers from churches across the county who worked so hard to put together care packages for the firefighters and others fighting the recent fires. We are so fortunate to live in a community who is so loving and ready to be the Lord’s hands and feet. Liberty opened their doors to anyone who was evacuated and needed shelter, they worked feverishly to package and supply much needed items to the firefighters. People in Rabun were even able to meet the needs of those who battled blazes in other counties and states. Again we are in awe of the local firefighters and those who came from all over the US to help and the USFS personnel who were also on sight and in the air. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough.
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
37
“A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that has it: wherever he turns, he prospers” Proverbs 17:8
A place where new life springs forth out of despair, failure and death. A place where God brings physical, emotional and spiritual healing to you.
Gift of Answered Prayer The Christmas gift our God has given to us is the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and Defense Attorney at the Throne of Grace in the Courts of Heaven. Our gift is that Almighty God sent His Son to earth to live a perfect and sinless life, and to take all the sins of all the people, ever born or to be born on the earth, upon Himself and be put to death on the cross as punishment for all. The death penalty has legally been paid for your sins and mine! Paid in full, and we don’t owe anything else! When our sins are forgiven, we get answered prayer! He invites us to come to the Court of Heaven which is the place that deals with legal issues when the devil brings accusations against us in God’s court. Just as we can be legally accused by anyone on earth of anything, whether it is true or not, we can be accused by the devil in the Court of Heaven of deeds whether we are guilty or innocent because he is a liar. After the enemy brings his accusations against us, he hastens to put diseases and other misfortunes upon us that he claims are because of sins we have committed. At this point it is up to us to come before the Court of Heaven with our Advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ, and give testimony of our innocence or guilt. Perhaps we are guilty of the sin the devil accused us of, what then? What does the Word of God say we should do? The Word tells us in 1 John 1:9 to confess our sins to God and that our sins shall be forgiven right then! When we have unconfessed sin in our lives our prayers are not answered and God’s protective covering around us is removed. After we confess our sins we are restored! The LORD calls us to come to the Court of Heaven, and follow these steps to guide us, whether we are coming on behalf of ourselves or others: 1. Approach the Holy Throne of God’s Grace and Mercy with reverence. 2. Address Almighty God as Judge of all things for He is Holy. 3. Request to come before Him in the Court of Heaven to testify on your own behalf or on behalf of others who you name, stand with the Lord Jesus Christ beside you as your Advocate (Defense Attorney). 4. Stop the mouth of the devil who brings charges against you and others, declare your and others standing in the Lord Jesus Christ and state your cases as follows: I/they have confessed all known sins to God I/they have received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior I/they have repented to God for all known sins and received forgiveness I/they have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God I/they have been made clean by His blood
38
5. Therefore, I testify before the Throne of Grace that Satan does not have a legal right to put sickness, disease, loss, hurt, accusations, take my/their life or hurt me/them in any way for I/they have been declared not guilty because Jesus Christ took my/their sins on himself and washed me/them clean in His blood. 6. Wait for God’s verdict, listen with your heart. Patiently wait and thank Him. 7. Pray His verdict over the situation, in the Name and authority of the Lord Jesus. We have witnessed the hand of God move mightily in the Court of Heaven as we pray for our own needs and healing. We know that we, as Believers, can pray intercessory prayer over other Christians who have needs. We can pray for their repentance and confess their sins until they are strong enough to stand on their own to see sin in their lives that they do not recognize yet. We can pray for healing and deliverance, repentance, and confession of sins for ourselves and other Christians and so can you! Start by praying for your spouse, children, relatives, neighbors, your employer and the people of America, in the Court of Heaven, pray intercessory prayer for them according to the 7 Guide examples, inserting their names. “If any man see his brother [another Christian male or female] sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and He [God] shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death” I John 5:16-17. God instructed Job’s friends to go to His servant Job for prayer, and God accepted Job’s prayer for them. “And the Lord turned the captivity [restored the losses] of Job when he prayed for his friends and gave him twice as much as he had before”. See Job 42:8-10. We have seen five people healed recently because other people went to the Court of Heaven for them. You can do this too. We do not know the exact day Christ was born, but you can celebrate Christmas every day of your life by coming to the Throne of your God, thanking His precious Son, the Lord Jesus, and thanking God the Father for all they have done for you and others for whom you pray.
December 2016
RIVER GARDEN
P.O. Box 112 Lakemont, GA 30552 706.782.5435 706.490.3063 gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
39
The year was 1940. There was a lot of snow on the ground. I was seven years old. Everyone was at home, snowed in together. All my family is gone now- so that was my favorite Christmas memory. Donald Ledford, Clay County, NC
40
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
41
Life is an Exhilarating Whirlwind! By MaryWinn Lent
“Oh God, please don’t make me endure another treatment!” was my prayer. continued from last month
I
t came time for the second treatment and my prayer was still “God, shut the door if You want me to stop these treatments”! It was the middle of January 2011 when the next treatment was scheduled to take place. The Sunday night before my appointment, we experienced a very heavy accumu a on of sno a our house. he office of he onco o s ca ed on onda even n o confirm he a o n men v a a com u er ca for he com n Wednesda and confirmed he appointment, much to my dismay. On the day of my appointment, I was very concerned with the status of the roads. Our driveway and our road leading to the main road were windy with many areas where the edge dropped off into a deep ravine. I was nervous about sliding off the road into one of those areas. Our son came to help us properly apply the snow chains so that we could get down our hill/driveway and out to the paved road. When we arrived at the main road, the snowplows had already cleared the road. Praise God! We were then able to depart safely for the hour and a half ride to Gainesville for my appointment. When we arrived, I stepped into the elevator and pressed he bu on for he h rd oor. he e eva or d d no seem o be working because it refused to close the door and ascend. When that elevator appeared to be faulty, my husband demanded that we should walk to our destination. We trudged forward u hose hree h s of s a rs. u ed on he door o o en bu as hou h e hrou h m m nd hs door is closed for you!” Wow! What a thought! Never have I ever had a thought such as that before or after that time. God literally answered my prayer in what I thought was “just the nick of time!” To Him, He was exactly on time. I will have to admit I, then, became VERY ANGRY with the doc or and h s office s aff for no con ac n me ha he would not be available that day. I was furious! My doctor’s office d d no r o con ac me a a ha da o cance he a o n men ha had confirmed. ven hen e checked our recorded messages that night, they had NOT left a message. We hen chec ed h he o her offices n he same bu d n o as hem o ca m doc or s office o see f he ere here. o se ara e offices ca ed on o d scover he ere here ver doc or as n he r office m doc or I even told my husband, “I am going to call them the next 42
morning and I will drive myself to get a treatment even if they refused to give me an appointment!” I felt as though they owed me an apology. A three hour round trip is a long way only to find ha he ere no here. At that moment I did not understand completely that God was shutting the door for the last time forever. As the rest of the day unfolded, I began to see that I would never again have to bear he horr b e effec s of m firs rea men . became ver e a ed over that possibility. My mixed emotions continued while driving home that afternoon. I was very distressed one minute and happy the next minute. It was hard to describe the emotional “roller coaster” that I was experiencing. At the same time, I was rejoicing that God had showed me His will in this matter. Still thinking that I would have to continue the treatments, I was nervous. It was a very unnerving day not knowing what would be next. If God “shut the door” what other adventure did He have in mind? When we returned home that evening, we stopped at our mail box on our road. I glanced at the mail to see if anything interesting was there. Then God revealed the next step of my adventure. Praise His Name! Oh blessed day! God clearly revealed the beginning of an adventure that was extremely exciting. As I gazed on a book called How to Cure Almost Any Kind of Cancer at Home for $5.15/day by Bill Henderson, I was n r ued b h s boo . s anced hrou h m husband fi ed supper and I began to read it. Many times I stopped to report the details to him. Finally, he said, “Just read me the book!” So fin shed read n he en re boo o h m verba ord for word. Not only, did it give many wonderful testimonies of people who had had success in treating their cancer naturally, but it told of what products to use and where to obtain them. The next morning, I began to gather needed information from each company and commenced ordering from them. This is when I totally realized that God wanted me to experience the door be n oc ed and no one a he office because caused me o rea e ha od ans ers ra ers s ec fica had o d m ease shu he door ” So e d d us ha f he office had contacted me, I would not have seen that God takes us literally with our comments from our mouth or our prayers. I ra se m for be n s ec fic h s ans er. I have been engaged in this program for six years and I feel wonderful! Furthermore, the cancer has not recurred. I return to my surgeon every year for a check-up and have not had any d fficu hus far. han ou ord
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
A vast segment of my cancer treatment centers on the consistent use of Essiac Tea. This tea was formulated by the Indians from herbs found in the woods. Renee Caisse, a home health nurse in Canada, made her rounds as a nurse to many Indian homes and they disclosed to her which herbs and how much to administer. One day she was assigned a new patient which was an elderly woman that was being treated for stomach cancer and many doctors had done all that they could for her. Her primary doctor gave her two weeks to live because there was no recourse left. Renee asked the doctor if she could give Essiac Tea as a treatment for her; the doctor replied, “Yes”! She is dying anyway!” She started the tea immediately and this woman died 20 years later due to old age. I started using the tea in the early months of 2011 and I am fa hfu a n ever da hree-hundred s -five da s ear . s a bod de o fier and removes a he m ur es that we receive from processed “fast” foods, air, water with additives and all sorts of environmental impurities. I feel great! This is something that I have committed to continue for the rest of my life. so r. enderson s boo n uenced me o s ud abou a German doctor Johanna Budwig. She was a medical doctor that practiced medicine in the early until middle 1900’s. There is a clinic in Spain that still carries on her treatments. She also had a PhD. in what I call “oil-ology”. She knew exactly what
gmlaurel.com
effect a variety of oils would produce to cure cancer in the human body. It was said of her that she would treat fourth stage cancer patients with a ninety percent cure rate for them. I also follow other methods on how to beat cancer naturally such as monitoring the PH of my body and eating foods that cause my body to be alkaline. Cancer cannot thrive in an alkaline body. If your PH is between 7.4 – 7.6 on the PH sca e h s s a cancer n ran e. When someone firs has cancer, this means that their PH is about 5.5 which shows that their body was extremely acid at the time of cancer. I am at present six years beyond my cancer. I am continuing m de ss ac ea he a o sha e h fru v am ns and minerals and monitoring my body PH every day. I have resolved not to stop the entire program until the day God calls me home. During this time, God has manifested Himself to me is so many ways. His Presence and His Hand have been felt every day. There is always a purpose for these trials that He allows us to face. They are not in vain. Sometimes God calls people home to be with Him, but I want to investigate for a moment how God moves during these trials. I want to give God all the glory for my healing and saving my life. It all came from Him alone! To God be the glory! The Bible states in 1 Peter 1:6 and 7 God allows trials of all sorts in our lives to test “the genuineness of our faith”. “Though now for a little while, if need be, that the genuineness of
December 2016
43
your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, hou h be es ed b fire ma be found o ra se honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”. Also God uses trials for judgment when we are in our sins, but that is not how God was expressing Himself in my life at that time. This life in general is a “school of faith” through which God is putting all of us in order to manifest to each of us the reality of each person’s faith in Him. If we get upset with God during trials and no longer follow His ways, our faith does not have the aspects of total dependence on Him that will withstand od s refin n fire”. n 1 or n h ans : 1 h s revea s what are the needed aspects of “true faith” in God. These passages show us that we have to build our life on only one foundation—Jesus Christ (v.11). God is real; He is listening; He loves us; He has paid for our s ns a an nfin e r ce. Jesus s oo n for a ersona ove from you and me. He also expects an obedient commitment on our part. Our reward will be eternal life both now and forever. John 1 : sums u ha e erna fe s nd h s s eternal life, that they may know You, the only true, God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent”. What reality does your faith have — that of trusting self or doctors only, or is it that of fully trusting in God alone for healing or deliverance? Doctors are great and they do a mighty work in helping us to heal, but God is the One who gives them the wisdom and causes them to be creative in developing various cures for diseases. It all starts and ends with God! God means for His children to REJOICE the Lord is King; Your Lord and King adore! RELOICE, give thanks, and sing and triumph evermore. Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! REJOICE, again I say, REJOICE! (Charles Wesley). A rejoicing heart is a gift from God! In James 1:2 God tells us “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have her perfect
44
work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing”. Furthermore, in I Thessalonians 5:16 – 18 we read, “REJOICE evermore, PRAY without ceasing, In everything GIVE THANKS; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. omans : s ea s of a s m ar conce as James nd not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation works perseverance (patience); and perseverance, character (experience); and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us”. What we have seen so far is that Christians are to rejoice in everything, pray without ceasing and count it all joy when various trials come our way. These are commands from God! I say these things to let everyone know that we had many opportunities in 2017 for REJOICING, for PRAYING and COUNTING IT ALL JOY. Barbara Johnson in her book So, Stick a Geranium in Your Hat & be Happy! says, “Pain is inevitable but misery is optional”. We all will experience pain and suffering throughout our entire life. We will experience trials of various degrees, but what we allow this pain to produce in us is totally up to us. Will we feel sorry for ourselves and live in the depths of despair? Or, will we rejoice in the midst of the pain and sorrow and allow Jesus to give you a rejoicing spirit in this life? The choice is up to you!
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
Hiawassee Georgia
gmlaurel.com
Christmas for me was the smells- mom baking cookies was a preempt for the holiday season. The smell of the Christmas Tree; a real tree. One year it snowed real late on Christmas eve. We played at midnight in the snow. In a family of 10 kids, it was never about the presents. Christle Rafool, Toccoa/Florida
December 2016
45
When I was little, where the Foothill Center is now, they put up a big Christmas tree with all the lights. We went there every year. There was singing and candy. And then went to see Santa at the Sears store. Anita Earls, Toccoa, GA
46
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
47
Live Healthy and Be Well! “Glaucoma is a silent thief” Stephen Jarrard, MD FACS
G
laucoma is the name for a family of disorders that all have one thing in common – damage to the optic nerve from increased ressure of he u d ns de he eye. If untreated, it can lead o v sua fie d oss and even permanent blindness. It does seem to be an “individualized” disease, as some can have high pressure in the eye for years with no damage and others suffer much damage from relatively low pressure. Intraocular hypertension is the term used o descr be h h ressure n he u d aqueous humor) of the major chamber of the eye. Glaucoma comes from a Greek word meaning “opacity of the crystal lens”. Originally, glaucoma and cataracts were thought to be the same, but we started to recognize them as two separate diseases in the early 1700’s. Glaucoma has been thought of as a “silent thief” (of sight) as it tends to progress slowly, and is often not diagnosed until much damage has been done. The optic nerve is not forgiving of the insult, so the loss of sight is unfortunately permanent. The focus of treatment then, is to prevent further damage by the use of medicines and sometimes eye surgery. If detected early, loss of sight can be held to a minimum. There are two types of this disease you will hear about – open angle and closed angle. The “angle” refers to the space between the iris (colored portion) and the cornea (clear) through h ch he ud circulates. Closed angle glaucoma is the least common 48
type (less than 10% in the USA), and usually results in a painful condition (high pressure) with a sudden loss of vision and changes that your friends and family can see in your eye, such as a hazy cornea and dilated vessels in the eye. You may notice halos around lights, your pupil may become oval sha ed or fi ed n os on and ou ma e er ence nausea and vomiting. If this happens, you need to seek treatment quickly and hopefully avoid extensive progression of the damage. Open angle is the more common type and usually has no a n and a s o er onse h ess defined s m oms. This may go on for awhile before people become concerned enough to seek treatment, which may result in more advanced permanent damage. Risk factors for glaucoma include positive family history. If you have a parent or sibling with glaucoma, you have a 2 to 4 fold increase in risk. Also, women, and people of East Asian and African descent have a greater chance of developing glaucoma. Screening for glaucoma should be accomplished as part of your regular eye exams by your eye care professional (optometrist or ophthalmologist). This screening exam usually involves applying a small “puff” of air against the eye and measuring the amount of indentation that results. They may also check your v sua fie ds for loss and look into the eye with a special lamp to examine the chambers and actually look at and assess the optic nerve for damage. In openangle glaucoma, the most common condition, the typical progression from normal vision to complete blindness takes about 25 years or more without treatment, depending on
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
the method of estimation used and the degree of intraocular hypertension. With proper treatment and control, there may never be complete vision loss and every good hope to preserve remaining vision and quality of life. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, the goal of your treatment is to avoid any further nerve damage and associated loss of vision. This must be accomplished by frequent follow-up examinations and an individually chosen treatment plan that may include eye drops, oral medicines and surgery to lower the pressure in the eye and keep it down. As the eye and visual system are important factors in the maintenance of balance and proper position, you should consider yourself at a greater risk for falls if you have advanced glaucoma and take appropriate precautions. Bottom line, consult with your eye care professional about any activities you should avoid (like driving), so as not to place yourself or others at risk for injury. We really do enjoy hearing from you with any questions, concerns, or ideas for future columns and/or health and wellness related issues for the Georgia Mountain Laurel. Please send an email to rabundoctor@gmail.com, or call us a 0 . 82. 2 and e be sure o cons der our n u . This and previous articles can be now be found on the web at www.rabundoctor.com in an archived format. If you use Twitter, then follow us for health tips and wellness advice @ rabundoctor. Like and follow our Facebook page at facebook. com/rabundoctor. Until next month, live healthy and be well!
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
49
50
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
Rodan + Fields Life-changing Skin Care
W
hat is the fastest growing premium skin care line in the country? Rodan + Fields is and might I add they have held this status for 5 years straight. Fortune magazine calls Rodan + Fields the best kept secret in the business world. Outstanding products developed by two of the nations’ top dermatologist are just the beginning of Rodan + Fields; their business plan is endorsed by the Harvard Business School and financial guru Dave Ramsey. One of the biggest differences in this company and so many others of its kind is there are NO parties and NO storehouses of inventory. What it does promise is freedom and financial security with a 3 - 5 year retirement plan. The business model is set up to take advantage of social commerce making it work for you, not against you. While the skincare and business plan is appealing to millennials it truly spans generations because the truth is every woman deserves to look her best and live well. Rodan + Fields has been known to turn hard working individuals into millionaires within 5 – 7 years. The Direct Sales Association has awarded this company the #1 spot for their competitive rewards and incentive programs. Let’s take a look at what can help you make all this money! Rodan + Fields is redefining the future of anti-aging skincare. Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields are world renowned dermatologists and the creators of the well known Proactiv® Solution. The premium skincare products in this line offer clinically proven results and are based on the principal that “living better in your skin means living better in your life”. They encourage everyone to make a difference in their own life and the lives of others.
There are four principal lines in the product portfolio; they are: Redefine (best-seller) which is equipped to handle those fine lines and wrinkles that accompany birthdays! Redefine promises noticeably firmer, smoother, flawless-looking skin. Reverse is said to lighten, brighten, smooth and even. This is the perfect product line to reverse sun damage and prevent it for those sun-loving ladies and gents. Reverse promises a clean slate and brighter future. Unblemish – this regimen offers a solution to the problem of acne utilizing the Multi-Med® Therapy. Unblemish promises to break the break-out cycle. Soothe – the name speaks for itself. Soothe is specifically designed for sensitive skin. It is rich with botanicals that reduce the appearance of redness and to comfort skin that lacks moisture. Soothe promises to give you comfortable, smooth and soft skin in as little as 5 minutes and greater results over time. Some things are just essential like that favorite scarf, a great spatula, perfume that makes you feel beautiful and good toilet paper. You get the idea, well Rodan + Fields has put six of their products in this category. Their Essentials are must-have products. Rodan + Fields also has a line of Enhancements; these are the icing on the cake! The best way to find out more about these products or the opportunities the company provides is to contact R+F Independent Consultant and Rabun County resident Ann Bone Inman by e-mail at anninman07@gmail.com. I highly recommend you visit her website where you’ll find a ton of info, https://aboneinman. myrandf.com. Don’t delay because there is a 60 day money back guarantee and this product is publisher approved! Honestly the difference in my skin is incredible!
52
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
53
Adventure Out
Highway 28 to Earl’s Ford and a Stop at a Historic Homestead. by Peter McIntosh
O
n this last adventure of 2016 we’re hiking along the Chattooga River on the Bartram Trail from Hwy. 28 at the Russell Bridge to Earl’s Ford. From end to end this section of trail is a little less than seven miles but if you just want to see the old home site, it’s only about two miles in from Highway 28 and almost flat the whole way and very easy.
From the trailhead at Highway 28, the footpath soon joins an old roadbed and you’ll come to some concrete pillars that were once part of the original Highway 28 bridge before the new one was built in the late 1930’s. The trail turns to the right, away from the river, and then you’ll come to a beautiful iron foot bridge spanning the west fork of the Chattooga River. After crossing the bridge, look for the rectangular yellow blazes and continue onward. Here the trail rises gently above the floodplain where there are many downed pine trees which were victims of the pine beetle. After crossing a small wooden bridge the pathway now follows along the river with a few primitive campsites on your left. About one mile in you’ll begin seeing some old barbed wire here and there and this is the beginning of an old hayfield and cattle farm. After another mile, keep your eyes out for an old rusting hay bailer on your left. And just a bit further on your right is an old chimney back in the woods. This is the Holden Homestead, founded by William Holden back in 1847. And you know how you often hear someone lament, “If only I had bought that land, such and such years ago.” Well, Holden purchased this land from the Nicholson Family, 490 acres in all, for a whopping 54
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
$500.00. Prime river bottomland for a dollar and two cents an acre. William Holden and his wife Martha had twelve children, and the family, or some part of it, remained in this area for the next 100 years. And if you’re good with maps and want to do a little bushwhacking, there’s the Holden Cemetery past the chimney a bit and up on a knoll a few hundred yards. And I’d like to thank all the nice folks at the Rabun County Historical Society for helping me with my research about this spot. Now if you want to keep going, it’s another 4.5 miles to Earl’s Ford. The trail leaves the river at this point and is a little more difficult, traversing several ridgelines. And do follow the blazes because there a numerous horse trails coming from the Willis Knob Horse Camp that cross the footpath. Happy hiking. It’s the end of year, and my poem is here: Once again it’s the holiday season, And a hike with your friends would surely be pleasin’. Along the river and over some bridges, And up and down a few small riverside ridges. Then back into town where the Christmas lights are shining, Raise a glass and be cheerful, ‘tis no time for whining.
Getting there: Earl’s Ford – From US 441 in Clayton, go east on Warwoman Road for 7.8 miles to Earl’s Ford Road on right. Continue on this, bumpy but not too bad, road for 3 miles where it crosses Warwoman Creek. The Bartram Trail crosses here, marked by a carver stone. There are plenty of places to pull off to park and please don’t block the road. Highway 28 Russell Bridge – From US 441 in Clayton, go east on Warwoman Road (about 16 miles) until it dead ends into Highway 28. Turn right on 28 and go a little over 2 miles. Parking area is on left before bridge. Trailhead is across the road, yellow diamond blazes. To see more of Peter’s photos or if you have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com gmlaurel.com
December 2016
55
56
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
57
Mountain Nature
Silent Night, Holy Night, Starry Nights and Dark Skies By Jean Hyatt
O
ne thing I always remember as an adult at Christmas time is when my mother remarked that the stars always seemed brighter at Christmas. We were on our way to church that evening and a member of the small congregation where we attended church had kindly driven out to pick us up and take us to a night service. We did not go out much at night, and I remember exactly where we were on the road when she said that. I could plainly see the stars from the back seat window, and they did look brighter than normal. And I don’t know why this moment sticks in my mind, but I think perhaps it is a big part of the reason I like the stars and want to preserve darkness in the night sky. Except perhaps the wise men who were seeking Him, no one really knows exactly what the star was that appeared before these men and led them to baby Jesus. Some have said it was a supernova, others a conjunction of two or three planets, and some believe it was the spirit of God. On the evening of my childhood memory, the bright star my mom spoke of was probably Venus. Venus is bright because it is covered with highly reflective white clouds of gas. People have star gazed for centuries. They’ve visually connected stars to form animal patterns and called them the signs of the Zodiac. They’ve painted the night sky on canvas to reflect its grandeur and beauty. They’ve discovered planets and asteroids and supernovas and have developed theories on black holes and other phenomenal ideas. But they are having a real problem keeping it dark enough to observe, as whole cities are now lighted and interfere with dark skies many miles away.
Milky Way. Even in one of the darkest areas of the country, smalltown lights diffuse our view of the sky.
I blame the media for this. (It’s very popular to blame the media for something.) It seems that in 1880, two newspapermen in Wabash, Indiana decided to promote their city by becoming the first city in the world to be completely illuminated by electric light. They contacted a man in Cleveland who was experimenting with electricity by mounting blindingly bright arc lights on 20-foot poles and lighting up Cleveland’s Monumental Park. The newspapermen bought four of his lights and mounted them on the corners of the courthouse, effectively lighting up the entire town of Wabash. People were amazed. The lights were so bright; it was painful to look at them. Residents feared their chickens would die from lack of sleep, and one thought that the price of hunting dogs would go up due to increased night hunting. But those lights made the town famous, and many other towns and cities followed suit. Today, most of the US population cannot see the Milky Way or any stars other than those most bright. In 1880, the Milky Way was visible across the US, even in large cities like New York. Dark skies are starry skies. Starry skies are awe-inspiring and silent, and are sacred as one can feel a higher presence and know his place in the universe.
Jean and her husband Richard own and operate Mountain Nature in downtown Clayton. They can be reached at 706.782.0838, or www.facebook.com/Mountain Nature & Wild Bird Supply. ** Don’t forget to turn off your outside lights at night. Use motion detector lighting, shields, and IDA-approved lighting so you don’t impose your light on those who want to see the stars. I believe God made night dark for a reason. Please help keep it that way. ** 58
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
59
Lovin’ the Journey Short Treks
T
by Mark Holloway
here’s a bit of a buzz that the sun is going into hiding next summer. The moon is going to totally block its light for several minutes as the ball of fire passes over our mountains. It’s sorta rare and here is where you want to be to look heavenward. Getting the moon, sun and earth all in the right place at the same time is pretty cool. So is when all four Holloways and our schedules line up. Our kids live in different cities and both were available to go skiing on a Thursday. Why on a Thursday? I’ll explain. The nearby skiing options are plenty. Beech and Sugar Mountains are the two largest in the South. But there are plenty of other destinations close by. If you’ve never skied or snowboarded here or anywhere, this is a perfect time of year to ponder the powder. We are blessed to live well within striking distance of a good time. I first learned to ski at Crystal Mountain, Washington. I was twelve. Since then, I’ve skied in many places. Growing up military afforded me three teen years skiing all over Europe. Playing in the snow out west is quite mind boggling; Utah and Colorado are favorites. The slopes and runs can take an hour or more to ski from top to bottom. You can ski hard all week and not travel the same route in some resorts. Skiing in the southeast is a little trickier. Generally our temperatures are warmer, our mountains aren’t at Rocky elevations and the skiable acreage isn’t nearly as expansive. Despite those three critical elements, the crowds still throng to our southern ski/snowboard offerings. Which brings me back to Thursday. Large and numerous ski groups flock to the slopes nearby on weekends, particularly long holiday weekends. Combine crowds and limited ski slopes and you have a recipe for long, boring waits in lines to the chairlift. That wonderful Thursday was the perfect scenario. I’d told my family I’d be up for a trip to a nearby slope under two conditions: good snow on a weekday. Again, living only an hour and a half from Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley proved to be the exact prescription for a family needing an outdoor fix. An additional unexpected surprise that day...we arrived on “Public Safety Appreciation Day” and my Search and Rescue badge was greeted with a complimentary lift ticket. Good times. We got to meet some amazing firefighters from Florida like John Cobb and his kids all the way from Indian River, or Matt and Samantha Hackett from Atlanta...new friends who’ve skied these slopes many times.
60
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
Cataloochee offers ski lessons, state-of-the-art rental equipment and hospitable staff from management to lift house folks. Tammy Brown (828.506.0787) is one of the smiling faces who can help you plan your perfect winter diversions. As winter approaches, I invite you to embrace your adrenaline and set your Google Navigation to Cataloochee Ski area. You’ll be there before you know it. Watch the weather. Avoid the weekend and go. Take some friends. Laughter is better with friends and family. Maybe buy some lift tickets as stocking stuffers. Merry Christmas! See you on the trail!
gmlaurel.com
December 2016
61
Good Work
Give the Gift of Literacy to a Young Child By John Shivers
I
t’s the thing that makes great scrapbook pictures: the image of a parent or grandparent reading to a young child. Or the sight of another child independently engrossed, transported into a new world discovered between the covers of a book. But as beautiful and poignant as that tableau is, for far too many children, nationally and right here at home, that opportunity doesn’t exist. Parents either don’t understand how important reading is in a child’s early development or they don’t have the means to provide that vital development tool. When reading isn’t a part of early childhood fun and learning, both child and the community at large suffers. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Enter the Ferst Foundation, a childhood literacy program based out of Madison, Georgia. Thanks to local volunteers, Rabun County is one of 77 counties in the state that have a Ferst presence. Because of that presence, books are in the hands and homes of children below the age of five, and provide a vital life lesson and teaching tool for both parents and their children. Thanks to a local group of volunteers known as the Community Action Team, the program was first introduced in Rabun County in 2010. In the six years since, over 1,000 young readers and readers-to-be have benefitted by receiving one book per month sent to their homes. Current distribution numbers show that some 400 books are arriving in Rabun County mailboxes each month. Just as there is a long-term negative price tag for children who don’t read well, there’s also a price tag for addressing that situation and working to turn it around. Books cost $3.00 each, and the money to purchase those books is raised at the local level. Do the math. That’s $36.00 per year, per child. And with 400 children currently on the receiving end, the dollars add up. Money has been raised through various community fundraisers but there’s always at least one more child out there who doesn’t have a book.
62
During this season of the year when giving, especially to children, is the main emphasis, what better time and opportunity to give the gift of literacy to a young child? If you know of children below the age of five who aren’t already receiving books, you can register them and write a check to sponsor them and pay for their books if you would like. Or, if you have adults on your gift list that really don’t need more material gifts, what better way to remember them and honor them, than with a gift in their name to this great cause? Literacy has been a priority with Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal since her husband took office. Thanks to her work and promotion of early childhood literacy, there is a greater awareness of the need for still more intervention. Ferst Foundation founder Robin Ferst was led to establish the foundation in 1999, following her own discovery of the need. Her passion for reading began at an early age, when a diagnosed hearing loss led her to books and reading. This in turn bolstered her own self-confidence. Despite that hearing impairment, she went on to a distinguished career in finance and real estate. Books literally made the difference. She’s now dedicated to helping make that same difference for other children across Georgia. The foundation is now branching into other states.
December 2016
gmlaurel.com
Rabun’s local Community Action Team is composed of retired educators and nonprofit and civic leaders and their goal is to see that books are in the homes of every local child. Age is the only qualifying factor; income levels do not enter the equation. All books are completely free of charge to the families. When you’re making your gift lists this Christmas season, deciding who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, don’t forget all those nice children who would enjoy and benefit from a book a month coming into their lives. It will make all the difference in the futures of those young readers and for the future of this community. To make that difference, simply contact the CAT at the Rabun County Family Connections office 706.782.8390. Learn more about the Ferst Foundation online at www.ferstfoundation.org. Checks may be made payable to Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy of Rabun County and mailed to 837 Hwy 76 West Suite 105, Clayton, GA 30525.
gmlaurel.com
Bristles Salon on Savannah - Healthy comes standard here! by Tracy McCoy
I
f you’ve wondered “what’s in” with hair, it is HEALTHY, and the ladies at Bristles are all over it! With products known to be organic and all natural like Pureology, O-Way, Alphaparf, Eprovauge and Precious Nature and Evolution your hair is going to be its healthiest! These exciting brands share shelf space with the ones you know like Redken, Biolage, Big Sexy, Paul Mitchell Awapuhi and Tea Tree. Master Cosmetologist and salon owner Jackie Elkins, a Franklin native, has 20 years in the salon. Jackie loves doing hair and that is what her primary focus is. Joining her in the Bristles Salon is Kim English also a licensed Master Cosmetologist with 10 years to her credit, who offers hair, nail and esthetician services. Both ladies know the importance of continuing education to stay on top of the trends in hairstyling, perming, color techniques, skin care and facials and nails. Kim is trained even beyond the industry, having worked in spa settings at both Old Edwards Inn and The Amara Center. She is gifted at Dermaplaning and spa facials. Alongside her facial chair you’ll find Mary Kay. Kim enjoys doing nails most and is touted as offering the best pedicure on the planet. She chooses to use gel nail products by
December 2016
OPI because she feels they are better for the nails, finds them quick and easy to use with the lasting power her clients expect. Kim is trained to deal with ingrown nails and regularly works with diabetic clients to ensure healthy feet, which is critical for them. Bristles – Salon on Savannah has great energy; Jackie has made it very comfortable, the décor is shabby chic with a vintage dresser for a styling station and inspirational signs on the walls. It seems that Jackie and Kim work really well together and that is very important. They are always accepting new clients and are open for business Tuesday – Saturday from 8:30 AM till “We are done,” says Jackie with a big grin. To schedule your appointment give them a call at 706.782.1679.
63
By The Way
Hang on Snoopy; it’s Almost Christmas!
E
veryone has their favorite Christmas song—Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. Mine, much to my wife’s chagrin, is Snoopy’s Christmas by The Royal Guardsmen. It doesn’t feel like Christmas until I’ve heard it—hasn’t since 1967. That song recalls an actual World War I event. In 1914, a Christmas truce was started, not by German and British commanders, but by the soldiers. The men in the trenches just stopped fighting. It happened out of the blue, and the length of the cease-fire varied, depending on where you were on the line. In some places, it was only on Christmas Day. In other spots, it lasted a week. If that isn’t the spirit of Christmas, I don’t know what is. These trench-bound, half-starved, lice-infested men exchanged presents. They didn’t have much, but these “enemies” crossed No Man’s Land and shared family pictures because it was Christmas. The little tune got to me the first time I heard it. It still does. But today, I love the words as much as the melody. Here’s what they mean to me. (If you know the song, it’s okay to sway as you read.)
The news had come out in the First World War The bloody Red Baron was flying once more The Allied command ignored all of its men And called on Snoopy to do it again Translation: Don’t take animals for granted. They’re the first things Jesus saw. ‘Twas the night before Christmas, 40 below When Snoopy went up in search of his foe He spied the Red Baron, fiercely they fought With ice on his wings, Snoopy knew he was caught Translation: Never give up. Christmas bells those Christmas bells Ring out from the land Asking peace of all the world And good will to man Translation: Put up a Christmas tree. The Baron had Snoopy dead in his sights He reached for the trigger, to pull it up tight Why he didn’t shoot, well, we’ll never know Or was it the bells from the village below Translation: Be kind to everyone. Christmas bells those Christmas bells Ringing through the land Bringing peace to all the world And good will to man Translation: Go caroling. The Baron made Snoopy fly to the Rhine And forced him to land behind the enemy lines Snoopy was certain that this was the end When the Baron cried out, “Merry Christmas, my friend!” Translation: Show compassion. The Baron then offered a holiday toast And Snoopy, our hero, saluted his host And then with a roar, they were both on their way Each knowing they’d meet on some other day Translation: Strangers are just friends we haven’t met yet. Christmas bells those Christmas bells Ringing through the land Bringing peace to all the world And good will to man Translation: December 25th really is a special day! And, as the Red Baron says— “Merry Christmas my friend.”
64
December 2016
gmlaurel.com